Ontario Pork Congress Returns for 2023 and Celebrates 50 Years

By David Ross
VP & CMO
GVF Group of Companies

The Ontario Pork Congress has not run in its typical fashion since June of 2019! For over three years COVID restrictions limited any gathering or left enough uncertainty that OPC organizers decided not to hold an in-person show. The 2023 OPC executive is excited to report that in 2023 they will once again hold this two day, in-person event designed to gather and promote all those involved in producing, high quality, delicious Ontario pork.

Kirk McLean, who was president of the 2019 OPC show, has returned as President for 2023 to help provide direction and leadership to the 2023 executive team as they work hard to re-launch this show after the three-year pause. Supporting Kirk is Kristy Perrin (VP), Marsha Chambers (Second Vice), Frank Wood (Treasurer), Joe Dwyer (Recording Secretary), Drew De Bruyn (Director), Victoria Stewart (Director) and Henry Groenestege (Past President). All of these executive members are volunteers providing their time free of charge, in an effort to make the show come alive again in 2023.

“This year will be an exciting year as we return after the three-year hiatus and celebrate our 50th year. Trade show exhibit space is over 90% sold out with 122 exhibitors registering for this year’s show.” shared Kirk McLean.

Plans are now in place for the two-day trade show to re-open at the Rotary Complex in Stratford on June 21-22, 2023. This year’s show will see the return of the Temporary Foreign Worker’s education session, the Taste the Best competition, the Bacon Maker classic hog show, free BBQ lunch sponsored by Grand Valley Fortifiers, hospitality tent and the Hog Jog walk/run fundraiser at the end of day one. Most importantly though, the executive team is looking forward to hosting pork producers and providing an opportunity for pork producers and the industry to connect again, in – person.

Make sure to join us and attend the show on June 21st or 22nd at the Stratford Rotary Complex. New this year the show will open at 9 am and run until 5 pm on Wednesday and then re-open at 9 am and run until 4 pm on Thursday. Admission tickets will be on sale for $15, a 50th anniversary special, at the North Rotary complex entry and South Agriplex entry and include a free BBQ lunch. Guests can also pre-purchase tickets now by visiting www.porkcongress.on.ca.

The Grand Valley team looks forward to visiting with you there. Make sure to stop by our booth for a free coffee and to learn what new tools are being offered by GVF to help improve pork production and maximize profitability in this challenging industry.

This article was written for the Spring 2023 Swine Grist. To read the whole Swine Grist, click the button below.

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